'Black Thursday' hopes to offer more time, less chaos

7:51 AM,
Nov. 22, 2012

Customers file in and out of Wal-Mart on Wednesday. The store will start its Black Friday deals at 8 p.m. today.

Written by

Chike Erokwu
Staff writer

Thanksgiving Day is traditionally observed with family gatherings, large turkey dinners and moments spent reflecting on that which is important.

With retailers such as Walmart and Kmart pushing Black Friday - the frantic shopping day after Thanksgiving which marks the beginning of the holiday season - to Thursday, family gatherings and turkey dinners can take a backseat to long lines, special deals and savings for some.

"Last year, there was a story in Florida where someone was pepper-spraying people," said Thomas Pasch, a Walmart sales associate who will work Black Friday for a second ...